Player News - Raiders

Oakland will pick up Lynch's $1 million roster bonus. It's not much money but can be taken as a sign Lynch is in their 2018 plans. Lynch's presence downgrades the chances of a Doug Martin rebound. The Raiders are shaping up as a committee under OC Greg Olson.

A 2013 second-rounder, Carradine has only 5.5 career sacks but is decent against the run. He also generated some pressure on 214 snaps last season. In between, he was sidelined by a high-ankle sprain. Capable of playing multiple positions, he will hunt for rotational work in Oakland.

Raiders signed CB Rashaan Melvin to a one-year, $6.5 million contract.

Melvin was a bright spot for the Colts last year, intercepting three passes and playing solid coverage before missing six games to a wrist injury. He was one of the top corners remaining in free agency. This is a good deal for Oakland, with Melvin getting significantly less money and term than Aaron Colvin. Melvin will help replace the losses of T.J. Carrie, Sean Smith and David Amerson.

Wright broke the news himself by announcing the signing on Instagram. Oakland need bodies in the secondary after losing David Amerson, T.J. Carrie and Sean Smith this offseason. The Raiders will be Wright's fourth team in five seasons.

Raiders signed LS Andrew DePaola, formerly of the Bears, to a four-year, $4.27 million contract.

The deal includes $875,000 guaranteed, and makes DePaola the league's highest-paid player who snaps the ball a longer distance than it is usually snapped. Rarely, if ever, do you see a team signing away a long snapper. The deal comes on the heels of the Raiders' blockbuster signing of FB Keith Smith, a converted linebacker. To date, new coach Jon Gruden seems to be pursuing a decidedly old school approach.

The Raiders are running low on corners after letting each of T.J. Carrie, Sean Smith and David Amerson walk, and Melvin is one of the best players remaining in the picked-over corner market. A late-bloomer, 28-year-old Melvin is coming off a strong year in Indianapolis, though he missed six games with injury.

Off-ball linebacker has been a persistent problem on GM Reggie McKenzie's watch, as the Raiders have been average or worst against the run and gotten hurt badly by tight ends over the past four seasons. 28-year-old Whitehead's strength is run defense, but he has experience playing in sub-packages and offers sneaky blitz potential. Whitehead was primarily an edge rusher at Temple.

Gilchrist was a sub-replacement starter for the Texans last year and Jets for the two previous seasons. The 50th overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Clemson, Gilchrist should push inconsistent Karl Joseph to start at free safety.

Raiders signed WR Jordy Nelson, formerly of the Packers, to a two-year, $15 million contract.

As expected, the Raiders cut Michael Crabtree and his $7.5 million in salary and bonuses for 2018 and gave it to Nelson, who gets $13 million guaranteed. Nelson (33 in May) is two years older than Crabtree and looked washed with the Packers last season, though we're going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now, considering he was playing with Brett Hundley. (It didn't bother Davante Adams.) Nelson will be the starter opposite Amari Cooper, who coach Jon Gruden said will be the focal point of the offense. Consider Nelson a WR3 for now.

According to NFL Network's Mike Silver, the Raiders have no plans to "part ways" with Marshawn Lynch.

The Raiders just brought Doug Martin in a one-year contract and while that could be taken as a sign that Lynch's days in Oakland are number, Silver insists that isn't the case. Lynch played reasonably well in his return from a one-year absence, but turns 32 next month and is due a hefty $6 million salary in 2018. Even if the Raiders stand pat, Lynch will be difficult to trust in fantasy while facing competition from Martin, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington.

Raiders signed FB Keith Smith, formerly of the Cowboys, to a two-year, $4.2 million contract.

Smith was a restricted free agent, but the Cowboys didn't tender him an offer. A converted linebacker, Smith wasn't a particularly effective lead blocker in Dallas. Oakland is scrounging because true fullbacks are fewer and farther between these days.

Raiders signed RB Doug Martin, formerly of the Bucs, to a one-year contract.

Although Martin is coming off a stupendously-bad year, it could be an indication the Raiders are moving on from Marshawn Lynch. That's been hinted at for weeks. New Raiders coach Jon Gruden never coached Martin in Tampa but seems to have remained something of a Bucs partisan. Martin has a three-down skill-set when right but is one of the most inconsistent players in the NFL. Off-the-field issues have played a part. The Raiders are hoping a 29-year-old back who has had some great seasons is ready to make the most of a new opportunity. Martin will not be handed anything in a backfield that includes DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard in addition to Lynch.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Saints are making a "hard push" for free agent Jordy Nelson.

It was reported earlier that Nelson was close to signing with Oakland after visiting the Raiders on Wednesday but Rapoport confirms it's "not a done deal." In addition to the Saints, the Seahawks are also making a run at Nelson. The 33-year-old finished last season on a 10-game touchdown drought but obviously teams still feel he has something to offer.